Polonnaruwa
A planned royal capital of palaces, reservoirs, monasteries, stupas, audience halls, and monumental rock-cut Buddha images.
Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC BY-SA 3.0
- Country
- Sri Lanka
- Region
- North Central Province
- Civilisation
- Medieval Sri Lankan
- Period
- 11th–13th centuries CE
- UNESCO
- World Heritage ↗
Through time
The story
Poḷonnaruwa, also referred as Pulathisipura and Vijayarajapura in ancient times, is the main town of Polonnaruwa District in North Central Province, Sri Lanka. The modern town of Polonnaruwa is also known as New Town, and the other part of Polonnaruwa remains as the royal ancient city of the Kingdom of Polonnaruwa.
The second-oldest of all Sri Lanka's kingdoms, Polonnaruwa was first established as a military post by the Sinhalese kingdom. It was renamed Jananathamangalam by the Chola dynasty after their successful invasion of the country's then capital, Anuradhapura, in the 10th century. The Ancient City of Polonnaruwa has been declared a World Heritage Site.
Adapted from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
What you will see
- Gal Vihara
- Royal Palace
- Vatadage
Before you go
- Check opening hours and ticket rules shortly before your visit — they change seasonally.
- Plan for the heat. Most ancient sites have little shade; go early or late.
- Respect the barriers. Fragile surfaces are protected for the next visitors.
Discoveries from Polonnaruwa
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